The Prince Music Theater's "newly re-imagined" production of The World Goes 'Round, the revue of songs by Broadway's John Kander and Fred Ebb, opens Sept. 26 after previews from Sept. 20 in Philadelphia.

The World Goes 'Round star Rashidra Scott
Photo by Mark Garvin

The 1991 Off-Broadway musical that has since been seen in regional theatres is now expanded at the Prince to include a song from the team's later show, The Visit. An original cast album preserves the work of the cast of the Lucille Lortel Award-winning musical. Scott Ellis was the original director, and Susan Stroman was the original choreographer.

The Philly cast includes Rashidra Scott (Avenue Q on Broadway), Jessica Wright (Candide, New York City Opera), Jaclyn Huberman (Roberta, NYC's Musicals Tonight), Adam Armstrong (The History Boys, The Ahmanson Theatre) and Ted Keegan (The Phantom of the Opera, Broadway and national tour). The music director is Collin Maier, the music supervisor is Stan Tucker, the choreographer is Wendy Seyb (Such Good Friends, The New York Musical Theater Festival), and the associate choreographer is Keith Coughlin.

Performances continue to Oct. 12. The show is billed as "a sophisticated panorama that features hits from the Kander & Ebb canon" including "New York, New York" and "All That Jazz" and songs from Cabaret, Chicago, Woman of the Year, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Happy Time, Zorba and more.

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Directed by Daniel Kutner, a Philadelphia-trained artist who is an assistant director to Harold Prince, this new version of The World Goes 'Round began at Pennsylvania's Gettysburg Festival in June 2008, where Kutner first dipped into the material. Prince producing director Marjorie Samoff saw that show and wanted to see the work develop further. "It was thrilling to see the Gettysburg audiences stand and cheer for Dan's stirring production," she stated. "With only four performances in Gettysburg, we felt compelled to bring the show to Philadelphia."

"It's been 17 years since this show first premiered, and we've gained so much knowledge and insight into the world of John Kander and Fred Ebb," Kutner stated. "I leapt at the chance to continue the process of exploring this work, adding a new song and some new arrangements."

The World Goes 'Round plays Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees on Saturday at 2 PM, and Sunday at 3 PM.

All tickets are $30 except for Saturday evenings, which are $40. Tickets may be purchased now through UpStages by calling (215) 569-9700 or visiting the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street or via the website, princemusictheater.org.

Ted Keegan and Jessica Wright in The World Goes 'RoundPhoto by Mark Garvin